Minister Ravu Highlights Fiji's Progress in Ambitious Tree Planting Program
In today's parliamentary session, Hon. Kalaveti Vodo Ravu, the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, provided a comprehensive update on Fiji’s ongoing 30 Million Trees in 15 Years program, a key initiative aimed at reforestation and climate change mitigation. The update was in response to a question posed by Hon. Semi Koroilavesau regarding the current progress of the tree planting campaign.
Minister Ravu outlined that the program, which commenced in January 2019, has successfully planted over 19.1 million trees across more than 17,200 hectares of land in Fiji. This achievement marks approximately 64% of the program’s target, leaving 10.9 million trees to be planted over the next 11 years. The initiative is part of Fiji’s broader strategy to enhance carbon stocks, restore degraded forests, and contribute to international climate commitments under the REDD+ initiative and the World Bank’s Emission Reduction Programme.
“This tree planting initiative is part of Fiji’s green economy and recovery from the ongoing impacts of climate change and the impacts of COVID-19,” said Ravu. He emphasized that the program not only aims to meet international commitments but also addresses various local needs such as coastal restoration, food security, flood mitigation and the establishment of community woodlots.
The breakdown of the number of trees planted by province highlighted Ba province as the leading contributor with almost 5.8 million trees, followed by Nadroga with 4.2 million, and Bua with 3.9 million. Other notable contributions came from provinces such as Ra, Macuata, and Tailevu.
Regarding species distribution, pine trees constitute the majority with about 14.9 million planted. Other significant contributions include approximately 931,000 mangroves, 776,000 mahogany trees, and various other native and fruit trees.
Minister Ravu acknowledged the challenges faced in the reforestation efforts, particularly the lower survival rates of certain species in specific locations due to factors such as drought, fires, and flooding. To combat these issues, the Ministry has implemented several measures including the construction of fences, fire breaks and land preparations.
“Research carried out by the former Forestry Department focused on improving the growth of our two major plantation species, pine and mahogany, contributing to their current success,” Ravu explained. He also noted that ongoing research aims to improve survival rates of other species through site-specific studies and the establishment of permanent sample plots for monitoring growth and survival.
The Ministry’s efforts also include community engagement to ensure local ownership and maintenance of the planted trees, which is critical for improving survival rates and achieving the program’s long-term goals.
In conclusion, Minister Ravu expressed confidence in meeting or even exceeding the 30 million trees target by 2034. He thanked the people of Fiji and various partners such as Fiji Pine Limited, Fiji Pine Trust, and Fiji Hardwood Corporation for their unwavering support in the tree planting efforts.
“The numbers achieved are a positive testament to the diligent work being carried out by my Ministry with the support of our communities and partners,” he said, emphasizing the collective effort required to restore forestry ecosystems, support socio-economic development, and contribute to global climate goals.
-End-